Blessed Sacrament Church

COVID-19 updates from Bishop Coyne and the Diocese of Burlington

Attendance: Our Church is open and allowed 50% capacity for worship, so long as the 6 feet between individuals can be maintained; those who are from the same household do not need to keep social distance with each other.  

Choirs: For Mass, one cantor and one musician is all that is allowed for now.  We are asked not to gather to socialize in Church before or after Mass, or to congregate in small spaces like choir lofts. 

Facial Coverings: Masks are required for the all attendees for the entire celebration of Mass.  With the recent sharp increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in Vermont, and having learning that more people are no longer wearing masks at Mass, Bishop Coyne has mandated the wearing of masks for all attendees for the entire celebration of the Mass, excluding children 2 years old and under.  This action is being taken to ensure that all our parishioners are safe at Mass and so that we can continue the public celebration of the sacraments.  In the event that the Bishop learns of a parish/community not abiding by this requirement, the public celebration of the sacraments may be suspend in that parish.  Please be reminded that the obligation to attend Mass is still suspended at this time.  

Contact Tracing: Before Mass or as you leave, every household is asked to sign-in with a contact number so that we can contact trace in case of an outbreak.  Information will be kept for 30 days, and we are asking you to please bring your own pen.  Only one person per household needs to sign-in, and the Wabun Avenue entrance will remain as the primary entrance into the Church.

Holy Communion: Holy Communion is distributed on the hand, with one palm crossed over the other.  Those wishing to receive communion on the tongue, please come to the foot of the altar after the priest has distributed communion to the rest of the congregation so that he may keep the sanitary protocols.  

Bishop Coyne has lifted the obligation to attend Sunday Mass UNTIL there is a vaccine available.  Please remember that we are a congregation that includes members who fall into the ‘high risk’ category, either because of age or personal health conditions.  Thank you for your consideration of others.